Republican file photoNORTHAMPTON - A college application essay writing workshop for high school students, transfer students and potential Ada Comstock or Frances Perkins Scholars will be held Sept. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Carroll Room of the Smith College Campus Center.
Admission director Debra Shaver and Holly Davis, writing counselor at the Jacobson Center for Writing, Teaching and Learning and a member of the Smith English department, will conduct the workshop.
Davis will address choosing an essay topic, organizing the essay and finding expression.
Shaver will reduce students’ stress by explaining how the essay fits into the overall college application process.
The event is hosted by the Hampshire County Smith Club and will provide useful information to those who are either in the process of applying to colleges or who plan to apply in the near future.
College-bound students, their parents, guidance counselors, teachers and principals are welcome.
The workshop is free, and registration is not required.
A question-and-answer period will immediately follow the workshop.
Light refreshments will be served.
Sample essay: College essay: Journalism shapes wider view

By MARY C. ZAGULA

”And those are my thoughts for Teenage Talk on WAMC!”

A soap opera actress, the head of the immigration courts in Washington, a car salesmen, insurance representative, friends, family, strangers; a cast of people with different lifestyles and backgrounds.

So, what then, is the connection among this diverse group of people?

The answer is that I’ve interviewed, written articles about, and on some level, got to know everyone of them.

However, it’s even more than that.

To me, all of these individuals hold a significant value.

They represent the accomplishments and advancements that I’ve made over the years; my progress.

I would have never known that what started as just an extracurricular activity four years ago, would have such an impact on me.

As cliché as it sounds, writing for my local newspaper, The Republican, has helped me find out more about myself, my goals, and what it is I want in life.

I started writing for the UNlisted section of the paper, a segment that encourages teens to write articles, during my freshman year.

Since then, I have written numerous articles, drawn countless nameplates (the headline of the section drawn in a creative and aesthetically pleasing fashion), and done many illustrations.

All three tasks have given me an artistic outlet, letting my creative potential flourish.

Of course, from the very beginning I’ve taken pleasure from the final product of my work, but thinking back, I’m only now realizing how much I should have been appreciating the actual process.

As each product of my work was published, I really did love how everyone complimented me on my drawings and articles; how proud I made my family; how proud of my work I was myself.

However, I often begrudged the process of getting to that “published” point.

I had to spend many hours writing, editing, rewriting, and at times it could get very tedious.

But, the truth is that it helped to reinforce my work ethic.

So, although the time and effort I put into my tasks might have been trying, the end result was definitely worth it.

In addition to testing my will power when it came to the required procedural activities, I had to push the boundaries of my comfort zone.

Both direct quotes and some of the information I had to gather could only be obtained from an actual person’s account; meaning I had to interview them.

Depending on the situation and atmosphere, I can be outgoing and self-assured, or at the complete other side of the spectrum, quiet and introspective.

When it came to UNlisted, both aspects of my personality were essential.

I had to be able to concentrate and listen, but also had to “go after” the answers I needed for my story.

Although it took me some time to work up the nerve, I eventually reached the point where I could walk up to several strangers at a book release party and start interviewing them!

What’s more, I was able to read some of my essays for an NPR radio station.

The idea of broadcasting my words to possibly hundreds of listeners was also a nerve-racking fact.

Yet, every time I was able to read the standard closing line, “And those are my thoughts for Teenage Talk on WAMC,” as well as my articles with conviction and clarity; my voice never wavered, and my confidence was at its best.

My improved confidence and writing skills are just some of the many ways I benefited from UNlisted.

There’s no doubt in my mind that this experience has had a positive effect on me.

I know what it takes to be successful and I have the ambition and determination to get there.

I am grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me and have learned much from them.

As a result of UNlisted, I not only joined my school newspaper, but I realized what direction I want to take in life; what I would enjoy and want to pursue.

I wish to play up my creativity in both writing and art, and build up the foundation of experiences I’ve already started.

I know that even more doors will be opened in the future during my years in college.

Cathedral High graduate Mary C. Zagula is a freshman at Westfield State College this fall. This is an essay she wrote as part of her college application process.